Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2015

The LeRoy Collins Institute continued to take on the notoriously sticky wicket of local government pensions on Tuesday with the release of the seventh installment of the think tank’s Tough Choices series of policy papers, titled “Beyond Pensions: Florida Local Governments and Retiree Health Benefits.” In the new study and an accompanying webinar held Tuesday morning, the […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is officially suspending a standardized test that the state’s 11th graders were supposed to take this spring. Scott on Tuesday signed an executive order that directs Education Commissioner Pam Stewart to suspend the test. The governor last week said that there was too much testing going on in Florida’s schools. He said […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 24, 2015

The Florida Legislature, always interested in preserving families, is working on a reform that is guaranteed to prevent some breakups. In the short run, that is. What’s the reform? The 2015 session that starts March 3 is almost certain to produce a package of alimony reforms. Alimony was a hot topic two years ago, and […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 23, 2015

The Florida Legislature, always interested in preserving families, is working on a reform that is guaranteed to prevent some breakups. In the short run, that is. What’s the reform? The 2015 session that starts March 3 is almost certain to produce a package of alimony reforms. Alimony was a hot topic two years ago, and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 23, 2015

So, this exists: “Wish you had the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual with you at all times but hate the idea of lugging around that heavy book everywhere you go? Good news! The 2015 Government in the Sunshine Manual is now available through Amazon.com for the amazingly low price of just $9.99!” Well, holy crap. Now all of […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2015

After years of deep cuts to environmental programs, Florida voters last November overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1, which changed the state constitution to earmark billions for conservation. But the measure left it up to the Legislature and governor to determine the details of how the money will be spent, and that has led to a heated […]

James CallFebruary 23, 2015

An appeals Court Monday tossed a challenge to a 2013 law that allows public officials to shield put their assets in a blind trust and ordered a Leon County Circuit Judge to dismiss the lawsuit. The ruling came in a case brought by Jim Apthorp, a former aide to Gov. Reuben Askew who argued that […]

James CallFebruary 23, 2015

An appeals Court Monday tossed a challenge to a 2013 law that allows public officials to shield put their assets in a blind trust and ordered a Leon County Circuit Judge to dismiss the lawsuit. The ruling came in a case brought by Jim Apthorp, a former aide to Gov. Reuben Askew who argued that […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 23, 2015

On Friday, Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones announced that the five-year contracts with private health care providers Corizon and Wexford Health Sources will be canceled and renegotiated, in response to the overwhelming evidence of poor care that those providers have been giving to inmates in Florida state prisons, including a decade high number of […]

James CallFebruary 22, 2015

It’s the lull before the storm. In the spring, salmon swim upriver, swallows return to Capistrano and 160 lawmakers descend on the state capitol to decide how to spend billions of dollars. That’s next week, this week people catch their breath before a 10-week sprint of budget debates and whether to change regulations governing alcohol, […]

Tag: Rick Scott
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

LeRoy Collins Institute seeks to go “beyond pensions” with new report

Gov. Rick Scott suspends 11th grade English test

Jac VerSteeg: Alimony reform could prevent divorce — for a few months

Jac VerSteeg: Alimony reform could prevent divorce – for a few months

Email insights: Hot diggity dog, Florida Sunshine Law manual now available digitally

Florida environment to get billions, but how to spend it?

Appeals court rejects lawsuit sparked by Rick Scott’s blind trust

Appeals court rejects lawsuit sparked by Rick Scott's blind trust

Mitch Perry Report for 2.23.15 — Florida officials get serious with health prison health care

The week ahead: Lull before the Session storm